Apartment in Riverside

I never can remember who I have told what individually, so I'm telling you all corporately. I am the proud renter of an apartment about four blocks from the UC Riverside campus.

I emailed Patrick in late June, recent Biochem grad from Biola/Torrey now studying Genetics at UCR, and asked him if he or his wife knew anyone who needed a roommate. A few weeks later he forwarded an email to me from a girl in the Statistics department who I contacted right away and who allowed me to come see the apartment and meet her personally. Her two requirements for a roommate that she told me on the phone: 1, agree to set up a cleaning schedule so that one person isn't doing all the work and 2, call her if I'm going to be out late or go home on a weekend so that she doesn't worry about me. 

Since then it has been one surprise after another. The apartment is beautiful and fully renovated, in a small building and not a huge complex, in a quiet neighborhood, reasonable rent, and within walking distance from campus. My apartment-mate, Tatev, is finishing up her last year and is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She's originally from Armenia and has been extremely warm and hospitable to me and my whole family.

My parents, as a housewarming gift to me and Tatev, decided they would landscape our yard, which was previously a four foot tall forest of trees surrounding a cement patio. About 88 man hours later, this is should give you an idea ofwhat the backyard looks like now:

From my bedroom window

I will not be moving into the apartment until early September and I feel extremely blessed with all of the opportunities God has given me. Also, you are all more than welcome to come hang out at my place some time!

Peace and Joy,
Lydia